5 Vitamins to Support Immunity

Paying attention to immunity isn’t something that should be reserved for the winter months. So let’s break down the basics of boosting your immunity, and the vitamins that can help support your immune system and keep you healthy. 

How To Support Your Immune System

Leading a healthy lifestyle is key when it comes to bolstering your immune system. Your body functions better and your immune system may grow stronger when you practice healthy-living strategies like:

• Abstaining from smoking.
• Eating a diet high in fruits and vegetables.
• Exercising regularly.
• Drinking in moderation.
• Sleeping regularly.
• Minimizing stress.

In addition to these positive habits, adding in a multivitamin can help your body stock up on the vitamins it needs to promote healthy aging, support energy, and keep you looking (and feeling) your best.

The Best 5 Vitamins For Your Immune System

Living a healthy lifestyle is critical for keeping your body in top shape, but so are the vitamins and nutrients that you put into it! Here are our top 5 immunity-supporting vitamins to work into your diet. 

Vitamin C

Vitamin C is one of the best vitamins for immunity. Bonus: it’s pretty easy to sneak into a healthy diet. Aside from your go-to citrus fruits, here are some other foods that help to pack that extra vitamin C punch:

• Spinach
• Kale
• Bell peppers
• Brussel sprouts
• Papaya
• Strawberries

If fitting these foods into your nutritional plan proves challenging, consider taking a vitamin C supplement to get the extra support that your body needs! 

Vitamin D

Some may know this vitamin as the “sunshine vitamin” because it’s one that your body absorbs from soaking up those sweet sun rays. Here are some sources (other than sunshine) for vitamin D:

• Tuna
• Salmon
• Mackerel
• Sardines
• Vitamin D-fortified cereal, milk, and orange juice
• Vitamin D supplements

Iron

Iron helps to transport oxygen to other cells in the body, which makes it a key player in many immune system processes. Commonly absorbed from animal products, iron can easily be found in red meats, chicken, turkey, and tuna. But fear not, vegetarians! If meat isn’t in your nutrition plan, turn to vegetables like kale, beans, and broccoli to up your iron intake, and support immunity. 

Zinc

Zinc is a VIP when it comes to immune support. Since it’s needed for the production of new immune system cells. Good news: it’s easily worked into most healthy diets via beans, lean meats, chickpeas, and yogurt. (And if you’re feeling fancy, oysters and crab are a decent zinc source as well).

Vitamin A

A solid vitamin for immune system support, Vitamin A comes in two forms. For carnivores, animal products like dairy, meat, and fish are excellent sources. For those that lead a plant-based life, lean into plant carotenoids from foods like: 

• Carrots
• Sweet potatoes
• Pumpkin
• Butternut squash
• Leafy greens 
• Cantaloupe 

In Conclusion

A healthy year-round lifestyle, paired with a diet rich in immunity-supporting vitamins contributes to your overall health and wellness. Keep on track with a healthy lifestyle by following a diet rich in immunity supporting vitamins, along with an extra boost of quality supplements, check out these immunity products from Country Life for immune support that’s fit for the whole family.